Okay, so do we set the scope like we're shooting the 435 yards on flat ground, or do we dial in what most ballistic programs indicate when a 30 degree incline at 500 yards is entered into them like this below???

30 degree incline:
Path at 500 yards = -45.44"

The ballistic programs indicate POI will be -38.10" at 470 yards with the 30 deg incline???

A quick initial test would be to shoot at 500 yards with the rifle still zeroed perfectly at 100 yards, measure the drop, then shoot at 30 degree using the cosine method, and then the angle method and see which one is 8" or so off the predicted path....

Same here for a 1000 yard target:

.87 cosine (30 deg) of 1000 yards = 870 yards.

0 degree inclination angle:
Path at 870 yards = -249.04"

On the other hand the program says...

30 degree incline:
Path at 1000 yards = -313.09"

The ballistic programs indicate POI will be -250.55" at 925 yards with the 30 deg incline???

Once the rifle is well zeroed at 1000 yards, and using an 8' sheet of plywood this one here should be real easy to determine as well. With over 32" of difference between the two methods, it's well worth finding the answer to.

I always figured the programs just ran the cosine, same as we do with the calculator, it definitely doesn't appear that way though. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Brent... Let me see if I can shine some light on what’s really going on when you shoot on an incline or decline.

When you zero your rifle, (lets say that you zero it at 100 yards and you are shooting flat). Because you are shooting “flat”, (meaning not on an incline or decline), you have the full effects or force of Gravity pushing downward on the bullet. So when you zero, you have adjusted the sight height above the bore, so the bullet leaves the barrel, arcs up into the full force of gravity and then drops down onto the bulls-eye.

When you shoot at an incline or decline (Angled Shooting) the effects or force of gravity is less; but you still have the same sight height above the rifles bore.
This means that the bullet is leaving the rifle’s bore, theoretically but not specifically on the same arc. This is why the bullet hits high; and a knowledgeable shooter will correct for the “gravity” distance to target. The Cosine method of calculation works very, very well for small arms fire and is the method taught in most if not all military and OGA’s precision shooting classes.

The cosine method of calculating will give you the bottom leg of the triangle. (Please read the article on my web site.)

To use the Angle Cosine Indicator is relatively simple and works like this:

1) Acquire the straight line distance to target.
2) Aim at the target and acquire the cosine number of the angle that you are holding at by looking off to the side of your scope at the Angle Cosine Indicator.
3) Multiply the cosine number to the previously acquired straight line distance to target. (.7 x 500 yards = 350 yards) or input the angle into your software.
4) Look at your data card for your hold or moa adjustment.
5) Make your adjustment and fire on the target.

I have a way with words most people don't, that is I can generally confuse the hell out of people, where most people don't. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Thanks for describing how it all works, and why. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I have understood what you explained for some time and have thought both methods were one of the same, but as I'm trying to point out, they are NOT the same. I can't understand why the ballistic programs are so far off when simply entering in the incline angle, verses using the cosine and simply using the flat land, or horizontal range.

In the post above, I attempted to show the cosine method's prediction, and the drop in inches first. (.87 cosine of 500 yds = 435 yards (-38.09")... Here, you look at the flat land drop chart and hold for a 435 yd shot when the actual range is 500 yards with the laser. The "important" part to note here, is that it's telling you to compensate for 38.09" of bullet drop at 500 yards when it's on a 30 degree incline or decline.

W,
You are saying this is the correct way and have found it accurate. This is also the most common way I've seen it figured too, and you explained why very well I might add.

We know .87 is the cosine for 30 degrees, so we look at what the "Palm program" predicts using this "30 degree" incline, ATrag, Exbal, which ever program you happen to use. -45.44" is what is predicted using this method, "NOT" the -38.09" the other method indicates, hence the problem. Over 8" of difference at only 500 yards, and at 1000 yards it is over 32" of difference between the two methods of prediction.

I hope this clarifies what I was trying to say a little bit more.

Dave,
The scope height is above with the load too, but it's 2.0" above the bore in case you missed it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I'm using Exbal and ATrag on the PDA, so it would be nice to know the angle function in them work, or don't work.

I'd simply multiply the laser range by the cosine and then enter the flat land range it predicts if it is the accurate one to use. If the incline angle function on the PDA programs proves they are what is accurate, I'll just look at the cosine and determine what angle it represents and use it with the program. Either way, I've got to find out which method is less accurate.

If it turns out, my impacts are between the two somewhere, then I'll be scratchin my head over this....

If the angle function on the ballistic programs are wrong, they will be worthless to anyone using them, as all mine predict nearly the same thing as one another, and they are not even close to what the cosine calculation predicts.

Haven't had much luck with any ballistic program- I generally treat them as a guide and not as the absolute. They are meant to get you close, then you fine tune from there.
I would go with W on this, Marty (Badger Ord.) and I have discussed this thing up, down and sideways. I have one on my rifle with the very first Badger CSI mount and the bottom line is it works. Real world firing from Missouri, Texas to South Dakota.
That's why military snipers keep log books of their rifle with real world shooting, not relying upon ballistics programs.
I am not saying they are bad but are meant as a guide, nothing more. Some are more accurate than others. Some are not.